SLFP to observe Republic Day in Kandy on May 22

BY CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE

KANDY –

Senior SLFPer Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa told a media briefing that arrangements have been made to observe the Republic Day of Sri Lanka on May 22 in Kandy.

This may be the time that the Republic Day of the country is observed after the 1978 Constitution came into effect, professor Piyadasa said.

Professor Piyadasa said that highlights of the Republic Day in Kandy would be mainly a cultural event with indigenous items of dancing, singing and aesthetic items.

Professor Piyadasa said that the event was being organised for the first time since the 1978 Constitution came into effect . Since implementation of the Janaraja Constitution in 1972 when Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was in office Sri Lanka observed the National Day on May 22.

The professor said in fact it was better to observe the Janaraja Day of May 22 as the National Day of the country since Sri Lanka became a totally independent country with a President replacing a governor who symbolised an obedience to the British administration, rather a Colonial administration.

Professor Piyadasa recalled the unfavourable political, economic and social changes that affected the progress of the country after the 1978 Constitution came into effect with an Executive President. With the introduction of the open economy Sri Lanka became a country dependent on imports and even eggs are imported from foreign countries, he added.